The ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified with two ships seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard on Wednesday, according to Iranian state television. The seized vessels were identified as the MSC Francesca and the Epaminodes, with both ships now being escorted toward Iran. This latest development follows two Indian-flagged ships that faced warning shots from Iran while attempting to transit the Hormuz on Saturday, forcing them to turn back and no Indian-flagged vessels have crossed the strait since then. As reported by The Economic Times, an Indian-flagged vessel had successfully transited the Strait earlier on Saturday, with officials confirming 'there was no targeting specifically of Indian-flagged vessels'.
India has categorically denied making any payments - either in cash or cryptocurrency - to Iran for safe passage of its vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports from The Economic Times, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, termed as 'fake news' the report of any payment being made for the safe passage of Sanmar Herald. Speaking at a news briefing, Mangal stated that 'news is spreading about a reported payment by the captain of the vessel Sanmar Herald in US dollar to persons claiming to represent the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy to grant passage, and fell victim to cyber criminals. We spoke with the owner of the vessel, and he confirmed that it is fake news and no such incident had happened.'
India has comprehensively reviewed the safety of its flagged vessels following last week's firing on two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz by the Iranian Navy. According to The Economic Times, officials said the government is in contact with Iranian authorities to safeguard shipping, with the review held Monday to assess the prevailing scenario. No fresh safety advisory was issued post the meeting and the government is continuing with its existing directives, with one official stating 'while the situation is evolving, there is no immediate need to revise protocols'. The incident was later concluded as non-targeted, with no indication it was intended to harm crew members.
The latest review comes as two Indian-flagged ships faced warning shots from Iran while attempting to transit the Hormuz on Saturday, forcing them to turn back and no Indian-flagged vessels have crossed the strait since then. As reported by The Economic Times, an Indian-flagged vessel had successfully transited the Strait earlier on Saturday, with officials confirming 'there was no targeting specifically of Indian-flagged vessels'. The clarification comes as 14 Indian ships remain stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, with 13 Indian flagged vessels and one Indian-owned vessel stuck towards the Persian Gulf side. So far 10 have passed the strait, including the crude oil tanker Desh Garima with 31 Indian seafarers on board, which reached the West Coast India on Wednesday.
The Iran war and the closure of the crucial Hormuz waterway has sparked a global energy crisis, severely impacting major oil and gas importers including India. According to The Economic Times, US President Donald Trump announced an American blockade of Iranian marine traffic in the Persian Gulf and threatened to continue it till Tehran doesn't concede, later saying the US intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf. 'Coordinated transit permits were issued to Indian vessels but targeting of Iranian vessels by the American blockade may have triggered a blanket retaliation for all nations,' an official said. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs called in the Iranian ambassador to New Delhi and 'conveyed deep concern at the shooting incident'.
